Opposition to a proposed natural gas pipeline that would cut a swath
through Colquitt County has galvanized in Southwest Georgia, from
Albany to Valdosta…

In recent weeks the company has begun sending threatening letters to
those who have held out, said Sandra Yarbrough Jones.

“I got a call in mid-October, (saying) this is your last
chance or we’re going to court,” said Jones, whose home sits
about two miles south of downtown Funston on Dunn Road. More
recently “I got a letter from their attorney quoting Georgia
law” about the use of eminent domain allowed for energy
pipeline projects.

Jones also has relatives who farm in the area and the pipeline would
come close to the home of son Greg Yarbrough and his family. But it
would come much closer to hers, and that’s what scares her.

“That 10-inch line was put in in 1955,” she said.
“They’re putting this 36-inch line next to that old cast iron
pipe.”

Based on the proximity, Yarbrough believes a malfunction and
explosion would destroy her home.

The proposed pipeline also would make a 50-foot swath of land
required for an easement through her property on which she could not
plant trees or use as she wishes.

“I’m maintaining they don’t have the power of eminent
domain,” Yarbrough said. “This (route) has not been
approved.”

And another landowner:

Irvin Allegood, who attended an Oct. 15 informational meeting at
Moultrie Tech, said he is not interested in having the pipeline go
through his property on Bay Road.

“I told them they’re not cutting a tree on my property,”
he said.

In Lowndes County a group opposed to the route has organized under
the name Spectra Busters. Yarbrough recently addressed that group.